Reality Check

Lincoln High School has never really been seen as a good school. People complain about the graffiti and the biased teachers. They never really notice that Lincoln has a great Advanced Placement Program, a stellar girls' varsity softball team, and a budding Academic Decathlon team. Our decathlon team has been improving year by year, and surprisingly, Lincoln is up there in the ranks. How can we let it all fall apart this year? How can we allow all the effort that has been made until now, go to waste? How can we let down so many people who believe that a down-trodden school like "Lincoln" can actually compete with the best of them?

State is the symbol of triumph. It symbolizes the breaking of the stagnant hierarchy that has formed with only the wealthy suburbanites on top. It represents finally a win for the little guy. So many people mock our dreams of State. The train keeps going but never reaches its destination. Don't let this year be our derailment.

Decathlon can be fun, but it can also be very painful. You might say I was too emotional at the Science Bowl vs. Decathlon competition, but when I see my fellow decathletes in trouble, I at least feel something. It feels like hell to lose, but it also feels euphoric to win. We do not want to experience the former. Don't let it be you who makes the whole team feel the former.

I am scared about the welfare of our team. Sure we have good times, but we are a team of business as well. If you wish, disregard my tirade. But if you want to be a part of history, to make it to State, then I suggest that you heed this calling.